John Fitzke, retired as United States Navy Master Chief (E-9). John was a highly revered member and served as a Past Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4647. From 1995 to 1996 he served as a State Commander, and co-chair of the National Legislative Committee for the VFW.
A Memorial Service will be held at VFW Post 4647, located at 3300 U Street in Antelope, CA on Wednesday, January 27th at 1 PM
We are putting together care packages for the troops.
We have a donation can at the post.
We also have donation jars on the bar at the canteen to help pay for postage. The boxes cost $11.95 per box.
We have collected 7000 candy canes and 120 boxes of Keebler cookies, plus drink mix,
beef jerky, gum and other misc items. We have 6 post members serving over there right now.
This video does not specifically represent all of the views of the United States Armed Forces.
Just like everything else in life, war is an individual experience. It’s not a political objective, it’s a change of life. Personally I had it so very lucky in comparison.
I posted this video, because I was trying to work Misty Mayhems music into a video. I listened to this song about lost love, and all I could think of was Iraq. Taking a shower I tried to wash the idea down the drain because I swore that I would never post something like this, or do anything that would publicly credit myself. Not because I am ashamed, quite the opposite, but not prepared to openly share this experience, which I hadnt done until now, with out lacing it with a sense of patriotism to mask my more subtle feelings on the matter.
These people touched my life, and like others, my thoughts turn to them, and this experience. I know not everyone feels the same, and understandably so.
Lessons learned: When away from family, friends, car, TV shows, and most of my worldly attachments, and put my efforts into a cause that I believed in, I found a sense of peace that I had rarely found before, and never for any duration of time. This wasn’t in a church house; it was in my heart. Not that there was all peace and love there, but when I actually stopped and taught someone something, helped somebody, it was always there.
Did you sleep last night? Was your bed a little lump? Toss and turn any? Wish the heat was higher? Maybe the AC wasn’t on? Need a drink of water?
Yes, it is like that. Count your blessings. Pray for them.
And the next time when someone cuts you off and you have to hit the brakes or you have to park a little further from Walmart than you want to be, or you’re served slightly warm food at a resturant, or your sitting and cursing at the traffic in front of you, or the shower runs out of hot water….
Think of them.
Protecting your freedom.
The proud warriors of Baker Company wanted to do something to pay tribute to our fallen comrades. So since we are part of the only Marine Infantry battalion left in Iraq the one way we could think of doing that is by taking a picture of Baker Company saying the way we feel. It would be awesome you could find a way to share this with our fellow countrymen… I was wondering if there was any way to get this into your papers to let the world know that “We Have Not Forgotten”. And are proud to serve our country. Semper Fi, 1st Sgt Dave Jobe
The attached photo was forwarded from on of the last Marine companies in Iraq. They would like to have it passed to as many people as possible to let the folks back home know that they remember why they’re there and that they remember those who’ve been lost.
This was sent to me via email as a forwarded prayer wheel. I thought I would post it on our blog as it seems most appropriate to our purpose in not only keeping our troops in our prayers but offering support as they fight overseas and when they return home. When I see something like this I am reminded that many of those who are risking their lives, have not even begun to live. These men and women are barely out of the stages of being boys and girls.
We owe them from the bottom of our hearts. We owe them not only thanks, we owe them the support of this country when they return home.
The average age of the military man is 19 years.
He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who,
under normal circumstances is considered by
society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind
the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old
enough to die for his country. He never really
cared much for work and he would rather wax
his own car than wash his father’s, but he has
never collected unemployment either.
He’s a recent High School graduate; he was probably
an average student , pursued some form of sport
activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a
steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when
he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from
half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop
or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he
was at home because he is working or fighting
from before dawn to well after dusk. He has
trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him,
but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and
reassemble it in less time in the dark.
He can recite
to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade
launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can
apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop,
or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation,
but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.
He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears
the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never
to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend
his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.
If you’re thirsty, he’ll share his water with you; if you
are hungry, his food. He’ll even split his ammunition
with you in the midst of battle when you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons
and weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life – or take it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay,
and still find ironic humor in it all.
He has seen more suffering and death than he
should have in his short lifetime.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends
who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.
He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate
through his body while at rigid attention, while
tempering the burning desire to ’square-away ‘ those
around him who haven’t bothered to stand,
remove their hat, or even stop talking.
In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from
home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-
grandfather, he is paying the price for our
freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy.
He is the American Fighting Man that has
kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return, except
our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our
re spect and admiration with his blood.
And now we even have women over there in
danger, doing their part in this tradition of going
to War when our nation calls us to do so.
As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .
A short lull, a little shade and a picture of
loved ones in their helmets.
Prayer Wheel
‘Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts
they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.’
When you receive this, please stop for a moment
and say a prayer for our troops in
Afghanistan , sailors on ships, and airmen
in the air, and for those in Iraq , Afghanistan
and all foreign countries.
This can be very powerful…
Of all the gifts you could give a U.S. Airman, Soldier,
Coastguardsman, Marine,
Freecycle groups match people who have things they need to get rid of with people who can use them. Whether it’s a chair, a fax machine, piano, old door, clothing, dishes, toys or anything useful feel free to post it. Or maybe you’re looking to acquire something yourself! Nonprofit groups are also welcome to participate! The goal of Freecycle.org is to keep usable items out of the landfill. By using what we already have on this earth, we reduce consumerism, manufacture fewer goods, and lessen the impact on the earth. Another benefit of using Freecycle is that it encourages us to get rid of junk that we no longer need and promote community involvement in the process. Free your inner pack rat!
Find out more about the VERY fast-growing international Freecycle movement at Freecycle.org
Pearl Harbor survivor Houston James of Dallas is overcome with emotion as he embraces Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Graunke Jr. during the Dallas Veterans Day Commemoration at Dallas City Hall on Thursday. Sgt Graunke, who was a member of a Marine ordnance-disposal team, lost a hand, leg and eye while defusing a bomb in Iraq in July of last year.
Job and resource fair for Veterans, National Guard, and Reservists returning from active duty.
Friday, September 19, 2008
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
American River College
4700 College Oak Drive
Sacramento, CA 95841
Dress for success and bring your resume
Meet and interview with employers
Obtain benefits, training, and career information
Replace lost records, medical records, and your DD214
Get assistance from DMV and CalVet financing
Veterans-start/grow a small business
Contracts for veteran-owned businesses
Veterans from all eras welcome
In partnership with the Employment Development Department, California Community Colleges, California Department of Veterans Affairs, California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, Department of Industrial Relations-Apprenticeship Standards, American River College, California State University Sacramento, Small Business Administration, Sacramento Employment and Training Agency and various federal, state, local and private organizations within Sacramento County.
EDD, an equal opportunity employer/program, is a partner in this event. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Requests for services, aids and/or alternative formats need to be made prior to the event by calling (916) 227-0301 (voice) TTY users, please call the California Relay Service ad 711.
icon_mesowatch Servicemen and women who were in the ranks during the period from World War II into the seventies might well have been exposed to asbestos and asbestos products. The most serious impact of asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, a lethal form of cancer that usually develops in the lungs.
If you are searching for the comradery that you felt when you were active duty military serving your country, you've found it here. We would love to welcome you into our organization! VFW Post 4647 offers you a place among men and women who have served not only in World War II and Viet Nam and Dessert Storm but also those who are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. We are here for you. We are here to support you as you make your transition back into civilian life. You can also give back to the community and to the Veterans who rely on us to make life a bit easier. There is so much that we offer. Just look at the links all over this site. Come and join us.
